Belt connector



July 4, 1939. G, l, WELSH 2,165,020

BELT CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 20,` 1936 INVENTOR HIS .ATORNEYS Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BELT CONNECTOR Application November 20, 1936, Serial No. 111,944

In Canada .lune 24, 1936,',

6 Claims.

My invention relates to power. transmission belts of the V-type, and includes among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved belt connector embodying certain improvements over the coupler disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 48,596J filed November 6, 1935, now Patent No. 2,118,750, granted May 24, 1938.

An object of my invention is to provide a belt connector designed to facilitate connection of the belt and in which the connector includes means for compressing the belt at the points of connection together with the anchoring elements imbedded in the compressed area of the belt. The

1.1 coupler further includes novel bearing meansl in which fr-ee rolling bearing elements are employed and arranged-in such a manner as to negative Wear in addition to lending a high degree of flexibility to the connector. y

90 Another object is to provide a connector designed as to lend an element of flexibility to the belt in the region of the connector and in which the connected belt' operates in a uniform manner devoid of objectionable vibration and noise.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of my connecter applied to the two endsI of a V-belt;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the connector illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 6 is a sectional View along the line of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 isI a perspective View of the part of the coupler which embraces the belt end;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a different form of coupler;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the coupler in combination with additional anchoring means therefor;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view along the line ifi-l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a different form of additional anchorage for the coupling elements; and

Fig. 12 is a sectional view along the line l2-i2 of Fig. 11.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate my invention, I make use of a belt 2li of the V-type in which the ends of the belt are connected by a coupler 22. The belt illustrated is conventional and comprises the usual top and bottom surfaces 24v and 26, respectively, and angular sidesl 28 which have frictional relation with the flanges of the sheave 32.

According to Fig. 2, the belt has wedging action with the flanges 30 of the sheave 32. To secure smooth operation it is essential that the coupler be so devised as to pass over the sheave without hammering. My coupler is so related to the belt as to lie within the contour of the angular walls 28 (see Figs. 1 and 4).

To each end of the belt 29 I connect an element 34 (see Fig. '7) which element embraces the four surfaces 24, 26, and 28 ofthe belt. In Fig. '7, the element 34 comprises a metallic strap 35 having a portion 38 which bears against the surface 25. Strap 36 is curved at 40 and includes a plate 42 which bears against the belt surface 24. Two anchoring straps 44 are formed integrally with the strap 3'6 and are arranged to embrace the sides' 28 of the belt.

The elements 34 are bent to substantially conform to the shape of the belt 20 in cross section, but the parts are arranged to freely receive the belt ends. After the end of the belt has' been inserted in one of the elements 34, the element is placed within a suitable die for pressing the area 38 and the plate 42 firmly against the sur-- faces 26 and 24, respectively. At the same time, the straps 44 are pressed inwardly for compressing the Vmaterial of the belt, and the curved ends 46 are pressed downwardly through the opening 48 in the plate 42. These ends are sharpened at 59 to facilitate penetration of the material of the belt.

When pressed home, the ends 46 are imbedded in the material of the belt, as indicated in Fig. 4, and portions of the straps 44 lie in flat pressure relation with the plate 42, as at 52. It will be noted in referring to Fig. 7 that the straps 44 are provided with deformations 54 which define ribs 56. These ribs press into the material of the belt while the portions of the strap 44 which embrace the angular surfaces 26 are pressed sufciently far to lie within the contour of these surfaces.

After the ends 45 have been driven through the opening 48, an expander 58 is driven between the ends. This expander is in the nature of a pin with a roughened surface. Since the straps 44 are flatfrom edge to edge and the opening 4B round, the edges of the opening will tend to c ut into the straps 44. Thus, the ends of the strap are firmly keyed in position, which connects the rectangular elements 34 with the belt end in such a manner as to withstand heavy loads on the belt.

`The clamping relation between the element 34 and the belt end for holding purposes is supplemented by the ends 46 which are imbedded in the material 'of the belt. 'Ihe straps 46 compress the sides of the belt while the parts 36 and 42Vpre- 44 within the contour of the'angular walls 28, smooth operation-is attained in addition to the elimination of noise.

Referring to Figs. 3 andi5, the karea 38 compresses the bottom surface 26 slightly, and the plate 42 compresses the surface 24 slightly, if any, because of its width. The Width issubstantially equal to the Width of the surface 24, and the plate is recessed at 58 for receiving the straps 44. In positioning the straps within the recesses' 58, all the parts are eiectively tied together so as to resistforces which tend to separate the parts to the end that effective connection is attained.

Within the curvature 48 of each element 34 I position a U-shaped bearing 68, the bight 62 of which fits snuglywithinthe curvature. The one leg of the bearing 68V is bent at 64 to position its end 68 in engagement with the strap 36. The other leg of the bearing 68 is bent at 6T to provide a reach 68 lying adjacent thek end ofthe Y belt with a portion paralleling the end 66. The end 66 and .the reach 63V cooperate to prevent buckling or distortion-of the bearing 68 and operate to hold the bearing in eifective relation with the curvatures 40.

A bearing roller 18 operates within the bight 62'and the shallow groove, or concave surface, 12 in the pin I4. The bearing 68, the roller 18, and the pin 'i4 are made of hard steel for wearing purposes. The ends of the pin '|4 are connected with links |6.

In Fig. 6, I illustrate each pin '|4'as including a reduced shank 88passing through an opening 82 in one of the links |6 and riveted at 84. The

opposite end of the link comprises a shank -86 in cross section and projecting through a similarly shaped opening V88k in the other link 76.' Thus, the link 16 bears against the shoulder 98. The shanks 86 are provided with openings Q2 for the reception of key Wires 94 which are bent at 96 to prevent displacement.

The wires 94 hold all the parts of the bearing and the link 'i6 in assembledr'elation. 4

Because of the key wire 84, the couplerrmay be easily` and quicklyi connected for joining the ends of the belt. Similarly, the coupler may be disconnected by removing the key wire. be noted that the shoulders l in spaced relation. r

AThe curvature of the element 34 is in vthev nature of a bail, which bail is narrower than the Y space between thev assembled links 16.1 This is also true of the roller 18 and the bearing 68.V

In terminating these parts short of the links 1.6, I provide spaces for i releasing foreign matter which mayv lodge inthe coupler, thus preventing the accumulation of abrasive which shortens the life of thecoupler.

In compressing the belt suiiciently to bring the strapV Y It will Y 98 hold the 'links In arranging the roller 18 to operate against the bight 62 of a. considerably larger curvature,

the roller is free to move with a rolling action which minimizes wear between the parts. This is also true of the relation between the roller 18 and' `the concave surface 12.. The U-shaped bearing is of such proportion as to abut the adjacent end of the belt. Links 16 limit the endwise movement of the bearing so that` all the parts are held in assembled relation when con-Y nected in the manner illustratedin Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 illustrates a slightly Adifferent form. The bails 98 and their associated parts which embrace the belt ends are identical with the similar parts in element 34. The difference resides in the substitution of .a bearing sleeve or 16. Sleeve |82 and the pin |04 are made of hard f steel, and the pin |84 operatesrwith a rolling action upon the inner surface of the sleeve |82.

Figs. 9 and 18 illustrate additional anchorage for the elements 34. The plate 42 is provided with a plurality of openings for the reception of nail-like elements |88 which are driven through the belt and clinched, as at H8. The portion 36 may be provided with a similar opening for the reception of a nail-like element |2 `which is also clinched in the same way as the elements |88.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate a construction in which the plate 42 is providedV with an opening for the reception of a holding element H4, which holding element passes through an opening in a link H6. Y relationwith a similar link I8, and the overlapping parts are provided with aligned openings action but embody an element of flexibility which permits bending of the belt.

All the bearing elements operate to lend free action to the connector and, will operateV over long periods ofY time without lubrication. The relative movements between the bearing parts is characterized by a rocking action which Vmini- I mizes friction, thus additionally negativing wear.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will vso fully explain myY invention that others V'may,

by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for useV under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. In a belt connector, a pair of clampingunits eachhaving a loop and adapted to be connected with an end of the belt, a cylindrical bearing element positioned within each loop, links positioned adjacent therends of the loops, to hold the bearing elements inside the loops, bearing members interconnecting the links and arranged in'bearing relation with said bearing elements, saidlbearing elements and said bearing members having smooth curvaturesfcf different Vradii so as to roll freely one upon the other,' one end of each bearing'memberbeing,Xedly connected with one linkfthe other ends of the bearing mem-V bers having Shanks projecting through openingsV This link is arranged in overlapping The third anchoring element |22 passesV in the other link, and means for keying saidr other link to said Shanks. Y Y

2. In a belt 'connectona pair of clamping units each having a loop and' adapted forconnection with an end of the belt, a curved bearing liner fitting inside each loop, each bearing liner being of uniform curvature from end to end and having a smooth face, a roller bearing lying inside each bearing liner, said roller bearings being cylindrical in cross section and each of uniform diameter throughout its bearing length, and link means operatively connecting the roller bearings for joining the ends of the belt, said roller bearings being of considerably less radii than their respective bearing liners so as to have free rolling action thereon.

3. In a belt connector, a pair of clamping units each having a loop and adapted for connection with an end of the belt, a curved bearing liner fitting 'inside each loop, a roller bearing lying inside each bearing liner, said roller bearings being cylindrical in cross section and each of uniform diameter throughout its bearing length, and link means operatively connecting the roller bearings for joining the ends of the belt, said roller bearings being of considerably less radii than their respective bearing liners so as to have free rolling action thereon.

4. In a belt connector, a pair of clamping units each having a loop and adapted to be connected with an end of the belt, a curved bearing liner tting inside each loop, a cylindrical rollei` bearing lying inside each bearing liner, and link means for operatively connecting the bearing liners, to connect the ends of the belt, said roller bearings being of considerably less radii than their respective bearing liners so as to have free rolling action thereon.

5. In a belt connector, a pair of clamping units each having a loop and adapted for connection with an end of the belt, a curved bearing liner tting inside each loop, each bearing liner being of uniform curvature from end to end and having a smooth face, a bearing pin passing through each bearing liner, each bearing pin having a concaved face extending longitudinally thereof, link means operatively connecting the bearing pins for connecting the ends of the belt, and roller bearings interposed between said concaved faces and said bearing liners, said roller bearings being cylindrical in cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end, the roller bearings being of considerably less radii than their respective concaved faces and bearing liners so as to have free rolling action thereon.

6. In a belt connector, a pair of clamping units each having a loop and adapted for connection with an end of the belt, a tubular bearing liner fitting inside each loop, roller bearings extending through the tubular bearing liners, and link means operatively connecting the roller bearings for connecting the ends of the belt, said roller bearings being cylindrical in cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end, the roller bearings being of considerably less radii than their respective tubular bearing sleeves so as to have free rolling action thereon.

GEORGE I. WELSH. 

